Dynamics of step flow in a model of heteroepitaxy

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Abstract
We have investigated step-flow dynamics during growth of a periodic heterostructure on a vicinal surface, assuming different growth velocities for homoepitaxy and heteroepitaxy. Depending on the ratio of the two velocities for each of the two materials of the heterostructure, steps evolve from their initial distribution to closely spaced bunches of steps separated by wide terraces or they evolve to a common average terrace width. We present a mathematical analysis of the process in the latter regime and identify its boundary in a parameter space comprised of the two dimensionless velocity ratios. We verify this boundary by comparison with computer simulations and previously published experimental results.